32 A-List Celebrities Who Rule the Saturday Night Live Hosting Spotlight!

It’s thrilling enough to be invited to host ‘Saturday Night Live’ once, but it’s an even greater privilege to return. Some stars can boast that they have hosted Studio 8H often enough to join the exclusive Five-Timers Club, while others are content with just being asked back a time or two more. Here is a list of some of the most frequent and prolific hosts in the history of this iconic sketch comedy television show.

(Note: The emphasis on ‘Saturday Night Live’ has been removed for clarity.)

Scarlett Johansson

Following her initial appearance as a host in Season 31, Scarlett Johansson graced our screens again on multiple occasions the following year. Known for her Oscar nominations and her amusing portrayal of Black Widow in a humorous superhero sketch, Johansson earned the title of SNL royalty not only for her Five-Timers Club membership and numerous guest spots, but also because she is married to writer and Weekend Update co-host, Colin Jost.

Tom Hanks

The concept behind the Five-Timers Club originated partly from Tom Hanks himself, and it was presented during his fifth stint as host on SNL’s Season 16. This two-time Academy Award recipient, who made his debut as a host in 1985, is among the select few non-cast members to have a collection of recurring characters within Saturday Night Live.

Tina Fey

Tina Fey worked as a writer for three years at Studio 8H before joining the Saturday Night Live (SNL) cast in 2000, where she stayed until 2006. During this time, she also served as head writer and co-hosted Weekend Update. Following her successful creation of the popular TV sitcom “30 Rock,” inspired by that period of her career, Fey returned to host SNL multiple times, eventually qualifying for the Five-Timers Club; one of these hosting stints was shared with Amy Poehler.

Ben Affleck

During SNL’s Season 30 debut, hosted by Ben Affleck for the third time, it had been just a short while since his previous stint. In his opening monologue, fellow Five-Timers Club member Alec Baldwin playfully accused Affleck of borrowing some of his hosting techniques, suggesting that this was simply one of many instances where Affleck seemed to be mimicking his moves, a reference to their shared history in the Good Will Hunting film.

Melissa McCarthy

Following her triumphant Emmy victory for “Mike & Molly”, Melissa McCarthy delivered an exceptionally funny debut on Saturday Night Live during Season 37, earning herself multiple invitations to return and eventually becoming a member of the esteemed Five-Timers Club. Known for her Academy Award-nominated role in “Bridesmaids”, this versatile actress has also made several unexpected appearances on the show, such as her stint as then-White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer.

Alec Baldwin

Among Saturday Night Live (SNL) hosts, Alec Baldwin stands out significantly with his numerous appearances. In Season 50, he donned a Five-Timers Club jacket with the number “17” sewn on it, signifying the number of times he had hosted the show up to that point. This Academy Award nominee and 30 Rock star has also made countless additional appearances, and for many years, he served as an unofficial cast member by portraying the show’s recurring Donald Trump character.

Emma Stone

A select number of members from the Five-Timers Club have been fortunate enough to win multiple Academy Awards, and Emma Stone – who claimed Best Actress Oscars for both “La La Land” and “Poor Things” – is among this elite group. The gifted and multitalented actress graced the stage of Saturday Night Live for the first time in 2010, showcasing her exceptional comedic skills and seamlessly fitting into the Studio 8H lineup.

Justin Timberlake

As a devoted SNL fan, I can’t help but marvel at Justin Timberlake’s exceptional versatility on Saturday Night Live. With his impressive number of hosting gigs and musical performances, he has earned his place among the select Five-Timers Club members. What sets him apart is that he hasn’t just hosted; he’s also graced our screens as a musical guest multiple times, even taking on double duties in the same episode on more than one occasion. From his memorable appearances in recurring sketches to his iconic Digital Shorts, Justin’s talent could easily have him as an outstanding cast member if he weren’t already a globally renowned pop sensation.

Kristen Wiig

As I watched the mesmerizing, A-list farewell she received during the season 37 finale, where she gracefully danced alongside the cast while Mick Jagger serenaded “She’s a Rainbow,” it was evident that Kristen Wiig would be making a comeback as the main star. True to form, this comedian and one of the rare SNL actors with an Oscar nod returned swiftly, eventually earning her place in the esteemed Five-Timers Club.

Steve Martin

Steve Martin first appeared as a host on the show in 1976, and returned later in the same season, marking the beginning of numerous comebacks. This eventually sparked a playful rivalry with frequent co-host, Alec Baldwin. Among his hosting stints, two were collaborative efforts: one with Chevy Chase and Martin Short in 1986, and another with Martin Short once again in 2022.

Or, more informally…

Steve Martin made his first appearance as a host on the show in ’76 and came back later that year, starting a string of returns. He developed an amicable “rivalry” with frequent co-host Alec Baldwin. Two of Steve’s hosting gigs were team efforts: one with Chevy Chase and Martin Short in ’86, and another with Martin Short again in 2022.

Paul Simon

Among all musicians, Paul Simon holds the record for the most musical guest appearances on Saturday Night Live (SNL). Remarkably, he made a dual debut in the show’s second-ever episode, acting as both host and performer. Although his hosting stints are less frequent compared to his musical performances, it is worth noting that Paul Simon has headlined more times than many non-actors can claim.

Bill Murray

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I found myself stepping into the spotlight on Saturday Night Live a bit later than expected, taking over from Chevy Chase when he decided to leave following a single full season. However, being nominated for an Oscar (for Lost in Translation) propelled me to make up for every lost moment with multiple hosting appearances that ultimately earned me a place in the exclusive Five-Timers Club.

Drew Barrymore

In 1982, at just seven years old, Drew Barrymore first appeared on Saturday Night Live, marking her as the youngest host the show has ever had. This meant that she had plenty of time before ultimately becoming a five-time SNL guest. Known for her role in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, she later earned her spot in the Five-Timers Club.

Danny DeVito

In 1982, Danny DeVito initially appeared on Saturday Night Live. The following year marked his first return, as he co-hosted with his wife Rhea Perlman, who was a prominent actor on Cheers at the time. Later, in 1993, this multiple Emmy and Golden Globe award recipient would be admitted into the Five-Timers Club.

Candice Bergen

In a timeless SNL sketch from Season 2, Candice Bergen, despite her uncontrollable fits of laughter, demonstrated her utmost professionalism during her appearances on the show. This Emmy-winning TV icon, who served as the show’s fourth host, eventually became a member of the Five-Timers Club in May 1990.

John Goodman

Following his unsuccessful audition for Saturday Night Live in 1980, John Goodman wasn’t asked to host until nine years later, after the success of Roseanne. Since then, he has more than doubled his qualifications to join the Five-Timers Club and has also made numerous appearances in various roles, including portraying Linda Tripp, who uncovered the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal, on multiple occasions.

Buck Henry

Buck Henry, who was the first person to appear five times on Saturday Night Live and did so in record time from January 1976 to November of the following year, was a two-time Academy Award nominee and co-creator of Get Smart. He hosted the show a total of ten times, with his last appearance being during the Season 5 finale in 1980, before he sadly passed away in 2020.

Martin Short

A few years following his one-season run on Saturday Night Live, Martin Short first appeared as a host in 1986, sharing the stage with his Three Amigos co-stars Chevy Chase and Steve Martin. Later on, for his admission into the Five-Timers Club during Season 50, he would perform solo.

Christopher Walken

In Christopher Walken’s monologue during Season 33, he humorously claimed that he was hosting Saturday Night Live for the 100th time, if you include reruns – however, it was actually his impressive seventh stint as host. The Academy Award-winning actor is also famed for being part of one of the all-time classic sketches, “More Cowbell,” but he later came to think that its fame had a detrimental impact on his life.

Ryan Gosling

In Season 49, Ryan Gosling was awarded a Five-Timers Club jacket, though he had yet to host Saturday Night Live for the third time in a week. Nevertheless, his performances on the show granted him an impressive collection of standout moments, such as the amusing pre-recorded piece titled “Papyrus,” the side-splitting “Alien Abduction” sketch (considered Kate McKinnon’s finest), and another where he and Mikey Day donned costumes reminiscent of Beavis and Butt-Head.

Dwayne Johnson

Before appearing in “The Mummy Returns,” which was Dwayne Johnson’s feature film debut, he had already hosted Saturday Night Live (SNL) during its 25th season, a time when he was still primarily recognized as The Rock. As his wrestling career flourished, hosting invitations accumulated, culminating in his induction into the Five-Timers Club in 2017.

Miley Cyrus

Though Miley Cyrus had already established herself as a successful pop artist, her first appearance on Saturday Night Live in 2011 was limited to hosting duties with The Strokes as the musical guests. However, during her subsequent appearances, Miley took on both hosting and musical responsibilities.

Chevy Chase

Chevy Chase played a significant role in the illustrious history of Saturday Night Live, not just as an original member of the Not Ready for Primetime Players but also by achieving some remarkable milestones. For instance, he was among the first cast members to depart SNL in 1976, which opened up opportunities for him to return as a host – making him the initial star to do so. Over time, he became the most frequent returning former cast member. He was honored by being inducted into the Five-Timers Club in 1986.

Jon Hamm

During his initial three appearances on SNL, Jon Hamm demonstrated such unique charisma and exceptional dedication to the skits given to him that he strongly established himself as a potential top-tier host in the show’s history. Over time, as he made numerous memorable guest appearances, it appeared as though he had hosted more episodes than he actually did.

Jonah Hill

Following the delay of his initial Saturday Night Live appearance in 2007 due to a Writers Guild of America strike, Jonah Hill eventually made his debut at Studio 8H the year after. A decade and some reoccurring characters passed – with seven-year-old Adam Grossman being one of them – and in 2016, the two-time Academy Award nominee became a member of the Five-Timers Club.

Lily Tomlin

Legendary comedian Lily Tomlin first graced Studio 8H during its opening season, where she showcased in the iconic “Landshark” sketch. She revisited the stage twice more in 1976 and 1983, bringing to life some of her own beloved character creations.

Will Ferrell

In 2002, seven years after taking off his cast, Will Ferrell made a comeback to host the show only three years later. During this time, he resurrected his character, Gene Frenkle from the “More Cowbell” sketch, and played the instrument alongside musical guest Queens of the Stone Age. This Golden Globe-nominated actor, who delivered one of the most compelling dramatic performances by an SNL star in the 2006 film Stranger Than Fiction, became a member of the Five-Timers Club in 2019.

Robin Williams

Despite being renowned for his energetic stage presence and swift humor, it might shock you to discover that Robin Williams, the cherished and Academy Award-winning comedian who sadly passed away in 2014, hosted SNL only three times during the 1980s. Besides these hosting stints, he made a few guest appearances at Studio 8H. Remarkably, his first appearance at Studio 8H took place before his initial hosting gig, and his last visit happened in 2010. He also graced the screen for a humorous segment during the show’s 15th anniversary special.

Paul Rudd

The induction of Paul Rudd into the Five-Timers Club was somewhat unusual due to a Covid-19 outbreak at Studio 8H causing most cast members, musical guest Charli XCX, and the entire audience to be unable to attend. Despite this, the show persisted as Ant-Man actor Paul Rudd teamed up with Tom Hanks, Tina Fey, and Kenan Thompson for pre-recorded segments and traditional holiday-themed sketches, making for one of SNL‘s most peculiar Christmas episodes.

Gwyneth Paltrow

In 2000, during Gwyneth Paltrow’s second stint as host on SNL, she disclosed a special bond she shared with Maya Rudolph. For her opening monologue, the Academy Award-winning actress invited the newly appointed cast member to share memories of their friendship that spans back to their childhood days.

Elliott Gould

Among the founding members of the prestigious Five-Timers Club was Elliott Gould, a major and multifaceted actor who rose to fame in the 1970s. Many contemporary viewers might remember him as Ruben from the Ocean’s Eleven group or as Monica and Ross’ father on Friends. This talented individual received an unofficial jacket (which wasn’t yet a thing) in February 1980, and he later acknowledged his achievement when the club first appeared on Saturday Night Live and in a 2022 sketch.

Lindsay Lohan

When Lindsay Lohan came back to Saturday Night Live for her third hosting stint in 2006 at the age of 19, she openly admitted this during her opening monologue. Her initial appearance had been quite noteworthy, as she played Hermione Granger in a spoof of Harry Potter – one of the most-watched SNL clips on YouTube to this day. However, her famous Debbie Downer sketch didn’t turn out exactly as planned, leading to uncontrollable laughter among the cast members.

2025-02-01 02:38